Australian man charged after allegedly faking cancer to scam his family out of millions
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A 30-year-old West Australian man has been charged after allegedly fooling his family into thinking he had cancer and scammed them out of more than $2 million.
Police allege the man spent the profits from the sale of the family's home in the Ballarat suburb of Alfredton before trying to hide the loss by claiming he had made an investment that would make him another $2m.
When the money was not produced the man allegedly lied that he had been given a cancer diagnosis and was a victim of fraud.
Police alleged the man then his deceived relatives into handing over $1.2m and created false email accounts and impersonated two different lawyers to back up his claims.
The man is also accused of using a fraudulent document to buy a new car worth $69,830 from a Horsham dealership.
The man was first arrested in Ararat, 200 kilometres west of Melbourne, on July 8, 2024.
Following an investigation by the Horsham Family Violence Investigation Unit, he has now been charged with 28 offences, including 10 counts of obtaining property by deception and 13 counts of make a false document.
The man is expected to face the Horsham Magistrates Court on June 25.
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RNZ News
2 days ago
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RNZ News
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